Tony Snow, left, says he will be bailing out before the end of Bush's term in office. Dan Bartlett, former counselor to the president, right, already has jumped. Karl Rove, chief political adviser, drops at the end of August. This picture was taken on another mission, a surprise trip to Iraq with the president. (Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)
by Mark Silva
It will be curious to see who among the senior ranks of the Bush administration will be left to hand over the office when President Bush steps down in January 2009.
Tony Snow won't be.
The president's press secretary said today that "financial pressures'' will prevent him from finishing the president's term.
Snow told Terrence Hunt of the Associated Press today that he can't say precisely how long he will serve, but he will be leaving before the end of the president's term.
"I'm going to stay as long as I can,'' Snow said.
Snow, who earns $168,000 as an assistant to the president, was appointed in April 2006.
"I will not be able to make it to the end of this administration, just financially," Snow told the AP. "This job has been such a pleasant surprise in how much I like it. I love it."
Snow, 52 a father of three and a former host of Fox TV and radio, has undergone chemotherapy since a recurrence of colon cancer was discovered in his liver in March. He faced his last treatment today, and plans to have a CAT scan on Monday to evaluate his progress.







Comments
...another rat jumps off the W. administration Titanic.
We can only hope that Cheney decides it's time to take the plunge too.
CHENEY CALIFORNIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kID5W9k-Zw
Gettin' born in the state of Denial
Poppa was a Darth and momma was a Vader
In Alabama, W. was drinkin' slammers
Price you gotta pay when you break the panorama
He never knew that there was anything more than rich
What in the world does your country take him for?
Black bandana, sweet Louisiana
Robbin'on a bank in the state of Denial
He's a runner, rebel and a stunner
On his merry way saying baby what you gonna
Lookin' down the barrel of a hot metal .45
Just another way to survive
Cheney California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
Cheney California show your teeth
We're his priestess, he's our priest
Yeah, yeah
Darth's a lover, baby and a fighter
Should've seen him coming when it got a little brighter
With a name like Cheney California
Day was gonna come when I was gonna mourn ya
A little loaded he was stealing another breath
I love my baby to death
Cheney California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
Cheney California show your teeth
We're his priestess, he's our priest
Yeah, yeah
Who knew the other side of you
Who knew what others died to prove
Too true to say goodbye to you
Too true, too say say say
Push the fader, gifted White House animator
Bomb one for the now and eleven for the later
Never made it up to Iran
Five Deferment man was a gunnin' for the quota
Down in the badlands he was saving the best for last
It only hurts when he laughs
Gone too fast
Cheney California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
Cheney California show your teeth
We're his priestess, he's our priest
Yeah, yeah
Cheney California rest in peace
Simultaneous release
Cheney California show your teeth
We're his priestess, he's our priest
Yeah, yeah
Posted by: John E | August 17, 2007 2:06 PM
Tony Snow has done an effective, credible job as press secretary and with a sense of humor in spite of his health challenges. He has set a high standard for future press secretaries. Hopefully, Tony will land a major talk show host job like George Stephanopolis did.
Posted by: Damen | August 17, 2007 2:33 PM
why is it Cheney California?
Cheney is from WY?
Posted by: bill | August 17, 2007 2:54 PM
why is it Cheney California?
Cheney is from WY?
Posted by: bill | August 17, 2007 2:54 PM
Alternate caption:
Hey Dan, why are all the REAL soldiers sitting on their helmuts?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 17, 2007 3:31 PM
Do you suppose Tony will land a job with health insurance without a pre-existing condition clause like what politicians?
The average Jane and Joe Sixpack continue to pick up the slack and get played as chumps.
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 17, 2007 3:43 PM
alternate alternate caption:
I've got to jump out and yell "Geronimo?" Why can't I just give him my letter of resignation?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 17, 2007 3:44 PM
I heard they already have a replacement. Baghdad Bob will take over sometime in December.
The other choice was Tommy "the liar" Flannagan, but when they found out it was just a character that John Lovits plays, not a real person, they decided to go with Baghdad Bob.
Posted by: nisleib | August 17, 2007 3:55 PM
Alternate alternate alternate caption:
"And if you tug on the emergency cord and the chute still doesn't open Tony, consider yourself Scootered."
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 17, 2007 4:02 PM
Alternate caption:
"You know, I'm beginning to think that Vice President Cheney might not have been totally honest with us when he said going to Iraq would be perfectly safe. Do you really think this body armor is to protect us from the thorns from all the flowers the Iraqis throw, like he said?"
Posted by: Tony | August 17, 2007 4:15 PM
Damen,
Are you kidding? There is never any need to hear from the White House on controversies and issues because Tony only knows how to avoid issues. He NEEDS to leave and we NEED never have another like him.
Posted by: Damon | August 17, 2007 4:22 PM
I guess $168,000 a year just doesn't go as far as it used to.
I wish they'd offer me a job at that salary - my wife and I have lived on WAY LESS for decades; we'd love to get that kind of income. I bet we can stretch it WAY BETTER than Tony Snowjob did.
Posted by: BC | August 17, 2007 4:31 PM
"The president's press secretary said today that "financial pressures'' will prevent him from finishing the president's term."
A job that earsn $168,000 isn't enough for him??
Posted by: Richard | August 17, 2007 4:35 PM
BC, Tony took a pay cut to serve his country. The private job market valued his services at a much higher rate. He proved his worth, so did you.
Posted by: whatnow | August 17, 2007 4:57 PM
Full of bs 'til the end.
Posted by: kb | August 17, 2007 5:02 PM
alternate alternate alternate alternate caption:
"Hey Dan, why is POTUS in the corner wearing a flightsuit and making "VROOM! VROOM!!" noises?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 17, 2007 5:12 PM
Hey Dan, why are all the REAL soldiers sitting on their helmuts?
Actually, according to a good friend who served as a gunner on a chopper in Vietnam, soldiers sit on their kevlar vests. I think the helmet thing comes from Apocalypse Now.
Posted by: snitramc | August 17, 2007 5:34 PM
Good riddance!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | August 17, 2007 5:35 PM
""The president's press secretary said today that "financial pressures'' will prevent him from finishing the president's term."
A job that earsn $168,000 isn't enough for him??
Posted by: Richard | August 17, 2007 4:35 PM"
Just remember, Rich; We should all be able to get by on $12 an hour.
**********************
Jeez, That picture makes little boys in uniform look like real men. Abbot and Costello, or Laural and Hardy come to mind.
Posted by: C.Morris | August 17, 2007 6:43 PM
Comment from OBL (re. picture) ;
'Theese eez vhy we do nut feer de infidel.'
(What a couple a wussy boys.)
Posted by: TheReamer | August 17, 2007 7:01 PM
"Maybe $168000 is enough for u but some of us have so much more that we need."
Need, or want?
Posted by: Anonymous | August 17, 2007 7:17 PM
I am still laughing at this picture.
I have an old photo (1969) of me in basic with my 'war face' on (Sgt. Hartman's term). I look about 14 and weigh maybe 140 pounds, yet I look like an actual US killer compared to these two half steppers.
Posted by: C.Morris | August 17, 2007 7:32 PM
Alternate Caption;
(off picture)
'OK @$$holes, hook up! Get ready!
JUMP, JUMP, JUMP, JUMP!!!'
(If only it were true)
Posted by: C.Morris | August 17, 2007 7:35 PM
Alternate Caption;
'You have got to be $#!♰!%@ me Private Pyle!'
Posted by: C.Morris | August 17, 2007 7:46 PM
Alt Alt Alt Alt Alt caption:
"You're kidding! After all this time, you're telling me you don't know what the hell he's saying either?"
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 17, 2007 8:01 PM
Alternate Caption: At least we don't look as goofy as Dukakis.
Posted by: Terry | August 17, 2007 8:09 PM
What happened to the departure timing excuse that Karl Rove used?
To parphrase Dubya's Chief of Staff Josh Bolton:
"If you stay past Labor Day it's expected that you will stay till the end of the President's term."
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 17, 2007 8:26 PM
I thought conservatives had principles. Aren't there conservative press secretaries willing to actually pay to be this great president's pr spinner? You mean money trumps principles among conservatives?
Something's wrong here.
Posted by: RomanB | August 17, 2007 10:12 PM
whatnow, how are you serving your country when you are nothing be a front man for bush? bush, certainly hasn't served his country, only his own agenda and snow spins that.
Posted by: ken | August 18, 2007 8:33 AM
Of course Tony Snow can't get by on $168,000 a year! He's a Republican for God's sake, and he's out of touch with the common man!
Posted by: Craig W. | August 18, 2007 11:46 AM
Terry,
Not bad.
I think it was McGovern who said, "I wanted to run for President in the worst way -- so I did."
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 18, 2007 1:36 PM
Alternate Caption: Mission Accomplished???!?
Posted by: chimpymcflightsuit'snavigator | August 18, 2007 2:35 PM
Tony Snow, a hypocrites hypocrite! Let's see Snowjob, you're complaining because $160K isn't enough so you're leaving for the private sector. How does this sit with the military personel who've been sent back 3, 4 or 5 times to Iraq/Afghanistan? How many military MDs, JAGs and reservists have lost their high paying private life jobs because of multiple call ups? How many other military families are living on reduced military pay, which is certainly a paltry sum compared to your six figure income with many perks. You've lied and lied for this sorry assed excuse for a commander in chief, but your a typical Republipuke who thinks that its up to others to carry the burden for this supposedly honorable war. Another liar leaving the White House...GOOD RIDDANCE!
Posted by: Neal | August 18, 2007 3:11 PM
I imagine Tony Snow WILL need to get himself out before Bush is gone, but probably not for financial reasons (although it might be part of the reason). His cancer would be hard to deal with by itself, and if you're putting a job like his -- having to come up with a Bush-favorable spin to the news every single day -- it would be doubly hard to handle. Tony's worked very hard and he deserves a rest while he can still enjoy his family.
Posted by: Op109 | August 19, 2007 8:03 PM
Tony Snow has done an effective, credible job as press secretary and with a sense of humor in spite of his health challenges. He has set a high standard for future press secretaries. Hopefully, Tony will land a major talk show host job like George Stephanopolis did.
Posted by: Damen |
What nonsense. In good health and bad Tony Snow proved to be nothing more than a mouthpiece and apologists for the administration. That might have been in his job description, but he didn't break any new ground or set any higher standards than the previous mouthpieces.
Don't try to win sympathy from the public by pointing out his illness. Republicans NEVER care about people being sick unless it happens to one of their own (case in point, Ronald Reagan).
By the way, Damen, Tony already HAD a major talk show on FOX.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | August 19, 2007 9:14 PM
I am extremely curious about the portability of his health insurance. Most Americans could not make any career moves if they had such a serious and expensive illness.
Posted by: Catherine | August 20, 2007 10:10 AM
[quote]
BC, Tony took a pay cut to serve his country. The private job market valued his services at a much higher rate. He proved his worth, so did you.
Posted by: whatnow | August 17, 2007 4:57 PM
[/quote]
You have no idea who I am or what I do for a living. But I guarantee you that I don't lie daily for a living.
Posted by: BC | August 20, 2007 11:36 AM
Catherine,
When you have skills such as Tony Snow's, he negotiates that.
To all you screaming libs, I would say the same if it was e.g.; George Stephie
Posted by: Terry | August 20, 2007 7:46 PM